British Values

British Values

At St Mary’s we recognise the importance of British Values. The Government set out its definition of British Values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and these values were reiterated by the government in 2015. During the school day these British Values are enforced regularly.

Department for Education – “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beleifs”

At St Mary’s Democracy is embedded. The elections of School Council representatives are based solely on staff and pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action. Pupils are taught about the importance of the Law.

Often members from local authorities e.g. Police, Firemen, Ambulance Service are invited into St Mary’s to discuss the reason we have Law. This helps reinforce the importance of following rules. At St Mary’s we encourage children to make choices in every day school life.

Pupils are encouraged to choose certain lesson challenges, are given the chance to participate in extracurricular activities and are encouraged to exercise their rights and personal opinions. From entering school in Reception children are taught that their behaviours can have an effect on their own rights and those of others.

We have playground rules to enforce this. Weekly award systems are in place to reward positive behaviours such as ‘being kind to a friend’ where children will be given a certificate in assembly. We promote diversity within St Mary’s.

Children are taught about different faiths and beliefs in assembly. We also celebrate different religious days on the yearly calendar e.g. Islam day. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within the classroom. Our children will visit different places of worship that are important to different faiths.